Vice President, Research & Insights

First Book has a mandatory Covid-19 vaccination policy (medical and religious exemptions permitted). Proof of fully vaccinated status is required before an interview.

 (This is not a 100% remote position/ Mandatory in Office: Tuesday & Wednesday)

First Book is seeking a seasoned Vice President of Research with an entrepreneurial mindset. This individual will spearhead our research efforts, focusing on evaluating our program impacts, deepening our comprehension of obstacles to educational equity, and deriving crucial insights that can be transformed into significant opportunities for design and innovation.

The optimal candidate will have a solid foundation in quantitative and qualitative research methods, outstanding analytical abilities, and a fervor for utilizing data and inventive design techniques to enhance educational results for children from underprivileged families.

First Book’s Research & Insights (R&I) department is rapidly expanding, and we’re seeking an exceptional candidate to help us lead the way in market research, innovation, and insight development for the social sector and beyond. This role involves shaping and implementing our vision alongside First Book’s senior leadership team. A key aspect of this role is fostering external partnerships in the research field, defining client strategies and success metrics, and leading and growing our team.

About First Book:

First Book is dedicated to ensuring that all children, regardless of their background or zip code, can succeed, by removing barriers to equitable education. We reach 5 million kids each year in low-income communities across North America, providing books and resources through a powerful network of more than 575,000 individual educators, professionals, and volunteers specifically serving children in need. This is the largest online community of its kind. By infusing high-quality resources into classrooms and programs nationwide, we level the playing field so that kids are ready to learn — because education transforms lives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Team Leadership: Guide a compact yet mighty team of research professionals in designing and achieving various research and insight objectives while providing continuous coaching and development.
• Research Strategy: Formulate and implement a thorough research strategy that aligns with First Book’s mission and objectives. Identify crucial research questions and priorities for internal and external stakeholders and design effective studies to address them.
• Impact Evaluation: Spearheaded the evaluation of the impact of First Book’s programs and initiatives on children’s educational outcomes. Use quantitative and qualitative methods to assess program effectiveness and pinpoint areas for enhancement.
• Data Integrity and Analysis: Supervise the collection, management, and analysis of data from diverse sources, including surveys, assessments, and administrative records. Direct the team to apply advanced statistical techniques to extract meaningful insights and trends from large datasets.
• Business Development: Take a leadership role in business development, including identifying and pursuing new business opportunities that align with First Book’s research and insight capabilities. Oversee the creation of proposals and presentations for potential clients and partners, defining success metrics and measurement frameworks for client engagements.
• Research Partnerships: Collaborate with external research partners, such as universities, think tanks, and other nonprofit organizations, to leverage their expertise and resources to support First Book’s research agenda—foster relationships with potential funders and stakeholders to secure backing for research initiatives.
• Storytelling and Knowledge Dissemination: Communicate research findings and implications to internal and external stakeholders through various formats, including video, media interviews, reports, presentations, and publications. Ensure that research results are effectively disseminated to inform policy and practice in the field of education.
• Thought Leadership: Act as a thought leader in education research, representing First Book in conferences, forums, and other professional gatherings. Keep up with emerging trends and best practices in user-centered design and research methodology and contribute to advancing knowledge in the field.

The ideal candidate is an experienced executive with an entrepreneurial mindset and a proven history of managing intricate research projects and forming mutually advantageous partnerships. A demonstrated passion for the mission of First Book is essential.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor degree in education, psychology, sociology, or a related field required; masters degree is preferred.
• A minimum of 10 years of research experience is necessary, specifically in education or child development.
• At least seven years of experience in Functional Leadership is required, with a minimum of 5 years spent managing Directors or higher.
• The candidate must have proven expertise in both quantitative and qualitative research methods, including but not limited to experimental design, survey development, and statistical analysis.
• The candidate should possess strong presentation skills and be able to tell stories creatively and compellingly.
• Strong leadership and project management skills are essential, including prioritizing tasks, managing deadlines, and leading cross-functional teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as the ability to effectively communicate complex ideas and findings to a diverse audience, are necessary.
• Proven entrepreneurial abilities and significant achievements in business development are essential. At First Book, an entrepreneurial mindset is integral to our ethos.
• The candidate must be a determined and proactive self-starter.

First Book’s Talent Philosophy

First Book’s talent philosophy is a testament to the organization’s commitment to creating a nurturing and progressive work environment. Emphasizing equity, continuous learning, and collaboration reflects an understanding that a diverse and engaged team is the cornerstone of success. The principles of work-life integration, recognition, feedback, and purpose-driven work foster a positive workplace culture and drive the mission forward. This philosophy ensures that as the organization grows and adapts, its core values remain centered on its people, empowering them to excel and contribute meaningfully to systemic change and quality education.

Posting Statement

At First Book, we are driven by our mission to enhance the world through educational equality. We believe each individual has a role in promoting equality in our communities and workplaces. Our commitment is to build a workforce that mirrors the diversity of society, achieved through inclusive programs and initiatives.